This method is also far easier than sitting by the oven and watching braising ribs all day.

For a date night or holiday meal, these slow-cooker short ribs are a wonderful choice.

They’re both impressive and easy.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs on a platter ready to serve

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That’s a win-win.

Place beef on a baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high until shimmering.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs browning the short ribs

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Return to baking sheet, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in Dutch oven.

Add tomato paste, and stir until vegetable mixture is coated, about 1 minute.

Stir in broth, bourbon, molasses, Worcestershire, and 2 tablespoons of the mustard.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs cooking the onion and celery

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Add ingredients to slow cooker and cook:

Transfer onion mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.

Nestle short ribs into broth mixture in slow cooker, meaty sides down.

Cover and cook on LOW until short ribs are tender, 8 to 9 hours.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs adding the rest of the ingredients for the sauce to the dutch oven

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Strain braising liquid:

Using a slotted spoon, gently transfer short ribs to a serving platter.

Pour braising liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or measuring cup.

Gently press on solids to extract any liquid; discard solids.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs adding the sauce to the cooker

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Skim and discard any fat.

Stir remaining 1 tablespoon mustard into braising liquid.

Transfer braising liquid to a bowl; spoon over short ribs just before serving.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs adding the short ribs to the slow cooker

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Garnish with herbs, if desired.

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs straining the solids of the sauce

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Southern Living Slow Cooker Short Ribs spooning the sauce over the ribs

Credit:Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser